Detroit City Council hears comments from the public Tuesday morning ahead of a series of pivotal votes surrounding the city's financial reform path and the proposed sale of a large swath of land for a timber farm.(Screengrab from public recording)

DETROIT, MI -- City Council was still in public comment an hour into its pivotal meeting Tuesday morning.

AFSCME attorney Richard Mack asked the council to sue the state to release the funds rather than approve the contracts being requested.

"This body can demonstrate to Mayor (Dave) Bing how to lead," Mack said. "This body can go to court and seek that (Treasurer Andy) Dillon is abusing
his authority by withholding the money."

Another vote could authorize the controversial sale of a large swath of vacant land to be used as a timber farm.

Several residents spoke out against the sale, saying neighborhoods need many small urban agriculture operations rather that the 170-acre, 70,000-tree proposed operation.

City officials argue that selling the land would bring in much needed new property taxes and create jobs, while there is much more vacant land in the city that could be used in smaller operations.

A business owner on Kercheval Street in the east-side area where the farm is proposed complained that she wanted to purchase some of the land being offered to Hantz Woodlands.

Council President Charles Pugh referred her immediately to Planning Department officials to discuss which lots she may purchase.

In anticipation of selling up to1,956 city-owned lots to Hantz Woodlands at
$300 each, the city sent letters
to 108 residents who own homes adjacent to 118 of those properties,
offering them first opportunity to purchase at $200 each. Those residents have until Jan. 10 to agree to purchase even if the council authorizes the Hantz sale Tuesday.